she felt “naive” for assuming the lump could not be cancer
A Middlesex mother has urged women to check their breasts after she was diagnosed with breast cancer after dismissing a lump as a breastfeeding issue.
Meera Kotecha discovered a lump in her breast in December 2024 while breastfeeding her son Rio.
However, she delayed seeking medical advice because she believed it was a blocked milk duct, something commonly experienced by breastfeeding mothers.
Meera only decided to contact her GP after speaking with her sister Kaajal, who had also arranged checks for a lump.
While Kaajal’s results were clear, Meera was referred to a breast clinic in March 2025 for further tests.
A mammogram and ultrasound revealed a 35mm lump, which was later confirmed through a biopsy as grade two, hormone-positive, HER2-negative invasive ductal carcinoma.
Meera said she felt “naive” for assuming the lump could not be cancer because she was breastfeeding.
She said: “Cancer didn’t cross my mind because I was newly postpartum and breastfeeding.”
The senior account director said cancer stigma within some parts of the Indian community can make people reluctant to discuss symptoms openly.
Meera, who was born and raised in the UK, is now sharing her experience to encourage others to seek medical help sooner.
She said her sister’s conversation may have changed the outcome of her diagnosis.
“If my sister hadn’t spoken to me about her lump when she did, I might be looking at much worse outcomes.”
After her diagnosis, scans showed the cancer had not spread beyond the breast.
She began treatment in April 2025, undergoing 16 rounds of chemotherapy before surgery to remove the tumour.
Meera also tried cold-cap treatment to protect her hair but eventually lost it during chemotherapy.
She described explaining her hair loss to her seven-year-old daughter Serena as one of the hardest moments.
Following surgery in September 2025, Meera was told she was cancer-free.
She later completed 20 sessions of radiotherapy to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
Because her cancer was hormone-positive, Meera now takes medication to block oestrogen and receives further treatments.
She said the experience has changed her outlook on life and encouraged her to focus on moments of happiness.
Meera is now reminding women to regularly check their breasts and speak to a doctor about any unusual changes.
Breast Cancer Now says two-thirds of breast cancers are found through breast checking, highlighting the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms.
Meera’s story highlights the importance of early detection and breaking the taboo around conversations about cancer within South Asian communities.
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